IS THERE A LITTLE ORANGE FLAG IN YOUR YARD? OR MAYBE SOME ORANGE PAINT MARKINGS?

If there are flags or markings in or on your yard or near your yard, it means somebody – a neighbor or someone planning to do construction work near your yard – has called Missouri One Call Systems to have all nearby utilities located. When someone is going to dig up the ground for any reason, they are required to locate utilities first. The company that locates the utilities will come out and mark with paint all the utility locations in the vicinity so that whoever is digging will not dig up a utility line. Now you can find out what’s going on simply and easily.

Missouri One-Call Systems (MOCS) has added a helpful feature to their Website – the ability to research utility-locating work by area. “Ticket Search” gives the general public the ability to obtain information about utility-locate work being done in their area, who’s digging in a specific area, and what they are doing. Users can search by ticket number, if they have one, or they can define the search using other criteria such as date, address, excavator name, etc. Click here to go directly to the "Ticket Search" page.

Safety and Emergency Preparedness

On this page, Kirkwood's Public Safety departments provide a variety of helpful articles and tip sheets related to safety. These are organized seasonally (e.g., tornado safety during tornado season, which is typically spring/summer, and pool safety tips during the summer, etc.). If there is a safety issue you would like to see discussed here, please email the City's Public Information Officer at vonbehen@kirkwoodmo.org.

Fireworks sales at licensed seasonal retailers are legal in Missouri from June 20 to July 10. State permits should be displayed at all seasonal retail locations. Missourians who choose to use consumer fireworks should follow basic safety practices. Purchase fireworks only from a properly licensed retailers. OTHER TIPS:

Always wear eye protection and earplugs if you have sensitive ears.

Children should never be shooting or around fireworks without adult supervision.

Tie back long hair and don't wear-loose fitting clothes.

Only light one firework at a time.

Never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned.

Never have any part of your body over fireworks.

Keep young children away from fireworks.

Never throw or point fireworks at other people.

Never carry fireworks in your pocket.

Make sure to have water nearby in case of a fire or an accident.

Dispose of fireworks by soaking them in water and leaving them in a trash can.

Never light fireworks indoors.

Don't use fireworks while consuming alcohol. Use a "designated shooter."

Store fireworks in a cool, dry place. Don't save fireworks from season to season.

Anyone with concerns about a fireworks dealer or the types of fireworks being sold by a dealer should call the State of Missouri Fire Marshal's office at 573-751-2930.

Each year, drowning claims more than 6,500 lives in the U.S. alone. Forty percent of all drowning deaths are children under the age of 5, while another 15 to 20 percent are between 5 and 20 years old. Nearly 90 percent of all drowning deaths occur within 10 feet of safety, and more than two-thirds of victims cannot swim. A responsible supervising adult can be identified in 84 percent of toddler drownings, but only 18 percent of these incidents are actually witnessed. A full list of Water Safety Tips is available below, but here are two very important ones: 1) Know how to swim, and teach children water safety and swimming skills as early as possible. 2) Maintain constant visual contact with children in a pool or pool area. Always watch your child when he or she is in or near water.

LEARN TO SWIM: The City of Kirkwood’s Parks & Recreation department offers affordable swimming lessons at the Aquatic Center throughout the summer and to all age ranges, including adults. For more information, visit www.kirkwoodmo.org/pool.

The PARC (Participating at Reduced Costs) & Courtney Shupe Scholarship Programs: The PARC and Shupe Scholarship programs are designed to assist young people, ages 17 and under, whose families or households face economic challenges, in enjoying Kirkwood aquatics’ programs. Call Kyle Henke at 822-5856 for information. THE POOL OPENS each year on the Saturday prior to Memorial Day.

Lightning Safety Tips

LIGHTNING STRIKES are also a summer safety issue. It may seem like a hassle when the lifeguard at Kirkwood Pool tells you to get out of the water because thunder has been heard, but the scary truth is that water is a deadly place to bewhen lightning strikes occur. July is the deadliest month for lightning strikes. Click here for information on staying safe during a lightning storm [Source: National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration].

Holiday Safety Tips

The Thanksgiving weekend kicks off the holiday season. It's the first big shopping weekend before Christmas, and it's also a weekend when many people travel to visit friends and relatives. Thanksgiving is also one of the most dangerous holidays on Missouri's roadways.

Arrive alive this holiday, by following these safety tips:

Plan your trip.

Stay alert and make safety your first priority. Inattention is a leading cause of traffic crashes.

Expect the unexpected. Pay close attention to those motorists around you.

Drive the speed limit and obey all traffic rules and signs. Speeding was a contributing factor in 30 percent of the fatal and personal injury crashes during the last holiday period.

Drive courteously.

Move over or slow down if you see emergency personnel on the side of the road with their lights flashing.

Minimize distractions: Turn down the radio, and don't use your mobile phone while driving.

Turn on your headlights so others can see you.

Use safety belts and child safety seats. The use of seat belts and child restraints is one of the most effective ways to prevent death and personal injury when a traffic crash happens.

Get plenty of rest before your trip. Change drivers if you feel tired.

Don't drive if you have been drinking.

Allow plenty of distance before entering or crossing a roadway and when approaching oncoming traffic.

Information provided by the Safety Council of Greater St. Louis

Arrive Alive is the theme of the safety campaign sponsored by the
Missouri Coalition for Roadway Safety.

~ Always wear eye protection and ear plugs if you have sensitive ears.~ Children should never be shooting or around fireworks without adult supervision.~ Tie back long hair and don't wear loose fitting clothes.~ Never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned.~ Never have any part of your body over fireworks.

~ Always wear eye protection and ear plugs if you have sensitive ears.~ Children should never be shooting or around fireworks without adult supervision.~ Tie back long hair and don't wear loose fitting clothes.~ Never try to re-light fireworks that have malfunctioned.~ Never have any part of your body over fireworks.

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